[Report on the 5th Colloquium on African Demography Abidjan22nd-26th January 1979 (authors transl)]

The fifth colloquium on African Demography was attended by 60 participants from African countries and 20 from European countries and the U.S.A. 50 papers were presented on the following 5 topics: fertility urban growth mortality age declaration and demographic concepts. This report includes lists of papers for each of the sessions as well as brief summaries of the points covered and conclusions reached. The session on fertility included levels and tendencies data collection and methods of adjustment and fertility variables especially sterility nuptiality and socioeconomic factors. The session on mortality stressed infant mortality data collection and methods of adjustment and levels and tendencies. The session on demographic concepts emphasized the need for adjustment of concepts imported from western countries to African realities. 3 particular types of adjustment were reviewed as necessary: 1) in concepts of geographic location including residence and definitions of rural and urban 2) in sociocultural characteristics peculiar to Africa and 3) in definitions of the economically active population and underemployment.